GEF Launches “Adopt-a-Plant For Your Classroom” Campaign During National Green Week 2010

Jan. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- The Green Education Foundation (GEF) and Costa Farms have teamed up to launch the Adopt-a-Plant for your Classroom campaign during National Green Week 2010 (February 1-5), the largest hands-on school-based sustainability campaign in history.

GEF, an environmental education nonprofit, and Costa Farms, the largest producer of indoor plants in the world, are calling on schools across the country to participate in this program to improve classroom air quality, a growing concern in outdated school buildings.

O2 for You was launched in 2008 when Costa Farms delivered hundreds of peace lilies to hospitals in New York City in partnership with Earth Day New York, as well as in Philadelphia, in partnership with The Clean Air Council. Studies show that indoor air can be up to ten times more polluted than outside air. (Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

For children, who spend an average of 30 hours per week inside school buildings, the potential hazards of poor indoor air quality are pervasive. “We want to communicate the benefits of indoor plants and the role they play to purify indoor air to educators and students across the nation,” says Jose Smith, Costa Farms CEO. “Kicking off this program during National Green Week 2010 affords the perfect opportunity.”

Adopt-a-Plant for Your Classroom signifies the official start of the Green Thumb Challenge, the largest youth gardening initiative to date, cosponsored by Lowe’s and GEF, which is calling on schools and youth groups to plant 10,000 gardens nationwide this spring. Every group registered will receive a 50% off coupon for a 6” indoor plant purchased at Lowe’s, to receive your coupon enroll at www.adoptaplant.us. “Adopt-a-Plant for Your Classroom is a low-cost activity that gives educators the opportunity to bring nature indoors this winter,” says Jessica Drench, GEF Program Manager. “While most Green Thumb Challenge participants are still in the early planning stages for their spring gardens, this program is a fun and simple way to introduce plant life to the classroom.” The Green Thumb Challenge website will provide adoption papers, related research, and customized standards-based lessons to enhance the event.  

In addition to the Adopt-a-Plant for your Classroom campaign schools partaking in National Green Week 2010 will participate in energy and waste reduction programs coupled with standards-based lessons and activities from GEF’s extensive online curriculum library. The nationwide goal is to eliminate a ½ million lbs of trash and reduce combined utility costs by 5% before Earth Day.
Educators note: National Green Week 2010 (Feb. 1-5) is right around the corner! Schools and youth groups are urged to register early to receive important bulletins and updates via the online community. Visit www.GreenEducationFoundation.org to enroll today. All participants will receive a $10 off $50 purchase from Lowes, as well as the opportunity to win multiple Green In–Action Awards and a $5,000 grant.

About Green Education Foundation (GEF)
GEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides educational resources to promote sustainable, impactful pro-green behaviors in children, families and communities. For more information visit: www.GreenEducationFoundation.org.
About Costa Farms
Costa Farms is the largest producer of indoor plants in the world. Founded in 1961 by Jose Costa, the third-generation family business specializes in foliage and bedding plants with operations domestically in South Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and abroad in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Visit: www.costafarms.com and www.o2foryou.org.

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The Green Education Foundation was founded to provide educational resources that promote sustainable, impactful pro-green habits and practices in children, families, and communities.